04.10.08

The Big Gun

In John 6:44, we read the words of Christ, Who said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him.”

Those of us who attend SouthPoint Church have been praying specifically, by name for unsaved and unchurched friends and family members.  It is our goal to see them come to Christ, accepting Him as their Lord and Savior.  Admittedly, this is no easy task.  Praying for them, however, is much easier than actually sharing the Gospel with them.

As we pray and look for opportunities to witness, are the words of Jesus in John 6:44 discouraging to us?  How do we know if or when “the Father” is actually drawing our unbelieving acquaintances to Himself?  What did Jesus mean when He said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him”?

Without question, He was setting forth the inability of man to come to Christ on his own.  He was also emphasizing the saving purpose of the Father and His influential dealings with men.  In other words, as J. C. Ryle points out, "Without this drawing, no one would ever come to Christ."

A study of the word “helkuo”, translated "draw" in our text helps us understand this truth more clearly.  The basic meaning of the term is "to drag, or to pull”.  As W. E. Vine mentions, it is suggestive of "vigorous action”.  Certainly, the word magnifies the mighty drawing of God upon souls.  

As we continue to pray for and witness to our lost loved ones, we should also include in our prayers a request for the Lord to “draw” them to Himself.  This is the work of the Holy Spirit and we have the promise that He will be active as we attempt to make Christ known.  Using the same word, “helkuo", Jesus said, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself" John 12:32.  Jesus was “lifted up” on the cross at Calvary and if we will lift him up by our visible and verbal witness, our Heavenly Father will continue to “draw” men, women, boys, and girls to Himself.  Without this heavenly intervention, all our efforts to reach unbelievers will be in vain.  However, if we work and allow the Holy Spirit to work, we can see a bountiful harvest of souls for Christ’s Kingdom.

Begin now to pray that the Holy Spirit will go before you and prepare the heart of the person with whom you intend to share the Gospel.  Ask the Father to begin now to “draw” our loved ones out of the darkness into His marvelous light.

Evangelist Leighton Ford told the following story that will help shine light on the subject at hand.  He said, “I was speaking at an open-air crusade in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Billy Graham was to speak the next night and had arrived a day early.  He came incognito and sat on the grass at the rear of the crowd.  Because he was wearing a hat and dark glasses, no one recognized him.  Directly in front of him sat an elderly gentleman who seemed to be listening intently to my presentation.  

When I invited people to come forward as an open sign of commitment, Billy decided to do a little personal evangelism.  He tapped the man on the shoulder and asked, "Would you like to accept Christ?  I'll be glad to walk down with you if you want to."  The old man looked him up and down, thought it over for a moment, and then said, "Naw, I think I'll just wait till the big gun comes tomorrow night."[i]

Let me assure you, the “big gun” is the Holy Spirit.  Ask Him to go ahead of you and prepare the souls of unbelieving sinners for the seed of the Gospel. 

I am praying with you and for you.

Pastor David